Three hole-in-ones in one day at Hutt golf course

HOLE HAPPINESS: Susana McAuley, Jenny Keehan and Mark Brandwood all scored a hole in one at the Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club.

When a jubilant Jenny Keehan notched her first hole in one, at Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club yesterday, she rightly expected to be the centre of attention.

By the time she'd signed her scorecard, it was verging on old news. She returned to a buzzing clubhouse to be told Mark Brandwood and Susana McAuley had also etched a 1 on their cards.

Same course (formerly the Hutt Golf Club), same morning, three aces. All on different par-three holes. Club general manager John Freer doubted it had happened before.

"I've heard of holes in one consecutively on the same hole, but I can't recall three at one golf club."

Keehan, a 23 handicapper and 15-year golfer, was the only first timer of the three. On the 157-metre fifth, she produced a three wood which never looked like missing.

"It was a dead straight shot and it hit the front of the green and rolled straight in," she said.

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But it didn't help Keehan's concentration. "I was playing a match and I went off the boil after that." She lost, but was still smiling.

Brandwood, a Sydneysider who moved to Wellington 12 years ago, had a remarkable six aces on his golfing CV before yesterday. He was quick to inform club pro Brad Carter, also with seven to his name, that he'd drawn level.

Brandwood's seventh came with his first shot of the day, a seven iron to the 141m 10th. A six handicapper, his previous two aces at the course were each on the short 18th.

"My first was in 1992, the day I had my wisdom teeth out, at The Australian in Sydney. The first is still the best," he said. Keehan couldn't help but agree.

McAuley, a 16 handicapper, aced the 131m 12th with a three wood. It was her third hole in one, after aces at Tauranga and Wainuiomata.

"I used to just hack around ... this one was a fantastic shot, which I'm pleased about. They're not always great shots."

The bar was heaving. Members pay $5 insurance with their annual fees and the club shouts $250 for each hole in one. Still, Brandwood was vowing to reach for his wallet, even if he'd sworn off the booze. "I'll make sure everyone gets a few drinks."

A United States company that offers hole-in-one insurance has calculated the odds of an amateur golfer acing a par 3 hole at roughly 12,500 to 1, with the odds of a professional golfer doing it closer to 2500 to 1.